Programs

Program Scope

The Bachelor of Arts in Economics provides students with a foundation in
economic theory while allowing them to apply what they have learned in real
world settings. The program fully exposes students to the primary methods of
economic inquiry and analysis. Courses in the program call on students to use
both quantitative and qualitative reasoning to analyze and explain economic
events and problems. Students also develop practical skills in collecting and
statistically analyzing economic data to reach conclusions about economic
issues. The undergraduate program in economics provides an excellent preparation
for students planning to enter careers in business management, government
service, and in non-profit organizations. It can also serve to fully prepare
students for advanced graduate and professional study in economics, business,
public policy, urban and regional planning, law, and other related fields.

The Master of Arts in Economics allows students to pursue advanced study in
economics and focuses on theoretical foundations and real world applications.
The program requires students to develop skills in the mathematical modeling of economic
theory and statistical analysis of economic data, as well as writing and
communicating economic ideas. The M.A. program provides excellent advanced training for
students wishing to obtain professional positions as researchers or administrators in
private businesses, governmental agencies, or non-profit organizations. The program also offers a solid foundation for students
interested in continuing their graduate studies in Ph.D. programs elsewhere.

Career Outlook

Both the undergraduate and graduate programs prepare students for a wide
variety of careers in business, government, and non-profit organizations. Their somewhat practical orientation and
strong emphasis on quantitative reasoning
allow graduates of these programs to move into interesting, useful careers in a
number of fields. Undergraduate students majoring in economics, particularly
those who have supplemented their program with additional course work in
accounting and computer programming, are very attractive job candidates.
Graduate students in the master's program develop advanced theoretical,
statistical, and data analytical skills, which allow them to compete
successfully for more advanced positions. Economics majors have recently been
placed in entry level positions in business management, marketing, financial
services, research consulting firms, public policy analysis, teaching, and many
other fields. The undergraduate major also provides excellent
preparation for advanced graduate and professional studies in economics and
related disciplines. M.A. graduates have recently been placed in
advanced positions with public utilities, economics consulting firms, the
research divisions of large companies, and local and state governmental
agencies.

Upper Division Electives

Economics majors are required to take five upper division elective courses in
economics. There are over twenty elective courses offered each year on such
subjects as: money and banking, international economics, labor economics, public
finance, law and economics, economic history, urban economics, the economics of
crime and justice, environmental economics, economic geography, and economic
development.

Declaring the Major and Undergraduate Advising

Students can declare economics as a major at the Economics Department Office
at HSS 142. Upon declaring the major, each student is assigned an adviser from
among the regular faculty. The Economics Department requires that all majors meet with
an adviser each spring. Students who do not see an adviser will not be able to
register for the fall semester. Advisers advise students on the selection of
economics courses, as well as G.E. requirements and other courses in the
university. Advisers provide important information and guidance for meeting career and/or life
objectives.

Economics is highly complementary with a number of other disciplines and some
students may choose to minor in economics while pursuing a major in another
field. Students often decide to minor in economics after having already taken
several economics courses and realizing that a few more courses will satisfy the
minor requirements. Students minoring in economics are required to take ECON
100, Introduction to Macroeconomic Analysis, and ECON 101, Introduction to
Microeconomic Analysis. They are also required to take either ECON 301,
Intermediate Microeconomic Theory, or ECON 302, Intermediate
Macroeconomic Theory. In addition, minors are required to take four upper
division elective courses. Upon advisement, two of these
elective courses may be taken in a related discipline including courses counting toward the major.

Program

Units

ECON 100

Introduction to Macroeconomic Analysis

3

ECON 101

Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis

3

ECON 301orECON 302

Intermediate Microeconomic Theory

Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory

3

Units selected from upper division elective economics
courses. Upon prior advisement, two of these four courses may be from another
department in a related discipline.

Admission to Program

For admission to the graduate program in economics, a student must meet the general
university requirements as stated in this Bulletin. To qualify for classified status, a
student must satisfy the following criteria:

Earn a 3.0 grade point average in an undergraduate major in economics (or
equivalent);

Complete a course in intermediate macro and micro theory (ECON
301 and 302 or equivalents) with a grade of B or better;

Complete a semester of calculus (MATH 226 or equivalent) with a grade of B
or better;

Compete two semesters in statistical methods and interpretation (ECON 311
and 312 or equivalents) with a grade of B or better.

Students who do not
have Bs in all of the above four courses, or who did not major in economics but earned
overall grade point averages of 3.0 or better, may be admitted conditionally. Students admitted conditionally should understand that any prerequisite courses indicated
in their conditional admission cannot be applied toward their graduate program.

Students applying to the master's in economics must submit the following
material to both the Division of Graduate Studies and to the graduate coordinator of the Department
of Economics. These materials should be submitted to both places at the same time.

Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the general test.

Two or more letters of recommendation, preferably from professors the
applicant has taken courses with or worked with in some capacity.

The deadlines for submission of all of the above material to both the
Division of Graduate Studies and the graduate coordinator of the Department of
Economics are determined by the university. These deadlines are available at
www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/program-deadline.htm.

Written English Proficiency Requirements

The university requires that graduate students must demonstrate both initial English
proficiency (level one) upon entrance to graduate study and an advanced English
proficiency (level two) prior to graduating. Level One: each economics
graduate student is required to take the Graduate Essay Test (GET) before their first semester. A fee is charged for this examination. Students
who do not pass the
examination will be required to take the appropriate course (CHS 514, EDUC 614,
CA 514) during their first year of graduate study. Level Two:
to demonstrate advanced level proficiency, the student must complete a written term paper
as part of the required ECON 890 course.

Advancement to Candidacy

Besides meeting all general requirements for advancement to candidacy, applicants must
earn at least a B- in ECON 615, 630, 700, 701, 710, 725, 730, 890, and earn a 3.0 grade point
average in the six combined. On-line course descriptions
are available.

Core Requirements

Units

ECON 615

Mathematical Economics

3

ECON 630

Introduction to Econometrics

3

ECON 700

Seminar: Macroeconomic Theory I

3

ECON 701

Seminar: Microeconomic Theory I

3

ECON 725

Data Research Methods

3

ECON 730

Seminar: Econometric Methods

3

ECON 890

Graduate Seminar in Applied Economics

3

Other Requirements

Graduate elective
course. May be taken upon advisement in an allied field or in interdisciplinary
study.

Oral Comprehensive Examination: A three-hour comprehensive oral
examination is required of all candidates. The
examination covers the project completed in ECON 890 or the master's thesis. Examinations are conducted during the regular fall and spring semesters. No
student is permitted to take the examination until having completed 24 units of the
Graduate Approved Program with a B (3.0) average. ECON 615, 630, 700, 701, and
890 must be included in
these 24 units. The examination may be taken only twice.